Why You'll Never Get Your Kids to Move Out

The era of empty nesting—and suburban bedrooms being converted into sewing rooms or home gyms—may have just died. According to the Pew Research Center, young adults age 18 to 34 are more likely to live with their parents than with a spouse or partner—though only by a small percentage. This is happening for the first time in 130 years.

The reason behind the shift is a fairly obvious change in social structure: Young people just aren't getting hitched like they used to. Starting in the 1880s, Pew says, young adults fled the coop to get married and have babies. The one in five who did stay home with the 'rents were probably considered old maids.

But Millennials are having none of this, preferring the relative freedom of the family home, where they can take their time building (or choosing) a career path, saving for their own place, or paying off student loans. It is a very sensible choice, just one that might interfere with some well-earned retirement plans.